Electric switch.



F. BARRC ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 27. 1914.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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IIFBEDJERIC 1B 1. m 11:

PAT lflll or new roan, n. Y.

morale swrron. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that- I, FREDERIQ BARR, a citizen of the United, States ofAmerica, and residing at New York, .in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented new and useful Improvements in ElectricSwitches, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are to provide in simple and practical forman electric switch of high current-carrying capacity and having aquick-make and quickbreak action.

The invention relates particularly to switches of the so-called pull ferlever type and one of the special objects of the invention is to providea switch of this character in which it shall be impossible to retardaction of the switch, as heretofore, by

objectsare attained by operating the movable member of the switch by aswitchthrowing spring which is first shifted 1n 8. way to put it underthe proper tension and is then, when tensioned, automatically cou pledin switch-throwing engagement with the movable switch member and furtherby automatically releasing the throwing spring from its tensioning meanswhen said tensioned spring is thus engaged with the switch member.

Other features and details of construction will appear as thespecification proceeds.

Figure 1, is avertical sectional view of a pull switch socket embodyingthe invention. F ig..2, is a side elevation of the same, with the screwshell removed. Fig. 3, is ahorizontal sectional view taken substantiallyon the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 1, and showing the switch parts asthey appear when just operated and before the ull on the chain has beenreleased. Fig. 4, 1s a drop perspective view of the parts which go tomake up this form of the switch, with the exception of the upper memberof the base. Fig. 5, is a detail sectional view illustrating one of therelatively stationary switch contacts and the Specification of LettersPatent.

arc-interrupting shoulder at the upper end thereof. Fig. 6, is a detailplan view of the anchorage for the spring which returns thespring-throwing lever. Fig. 7, is a plan view of the invention asadapted to a wall switch of the type disclosed in my patent #1,097,207.Fig. 8, is a plan view showing the invention embodied in a lever typeswitch. Fig. 9, is a view of a modification wherein thespring-tensioning lever is omitted and the pull chain is, attacheddirectly to the switch lever.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, 11 designates the switchbase, constructed usually of porcelain or like insulating material andprovided in this particular instance with a pair of upwardly inclinedratchet teeth 12, and with seats or recesses 13, alternating with suchratchet teeth. In the lamp socket type of switch shown in the first fourviews the switch base is made in two parts, the upper part 11, acting asa cover or protection for the switch mechanism, but the base may ifdesired, be made in one part, as is common in the art.

Seated in the recesses 13 are the relatively stationary switch contacts14 and 15. These contacts are of novel construction in that they have aflat base or anchorage portion 16 from one end of which there rises aninclined spring contact-making portion 17, the upper end of which, whenunrestrained, normally projects slightly above the planeof anarc-interrupting shoulder 18. This arc-interrupting shoulder, asindicated in the detail view, Fig. 5, is located closely adjacent theupper end of the inclined contact so as to form substantially acontinuation of the same and it is shown as inclined to accord with theincline of the contact when such contact is pressed down into the planeof the Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed October 27, 19%. Serial No. 868,828.

which here takes the formof an insulating disk 20 journaled on thecentral upstanding spindle 21 and carrying on its underside the contactplate 22 which is provided with oppositely disposed downwardly, inclinedspring contact arms 23, ridingon the stationary contacts and insulatingratchet teeth of the base. The switch plate is shown connected with itsinsulating carrier disk by providing it with-an-angular opening 24:

screwed onto the upper end of the spindle.

At its lower or free end the switch-throwing spring has a one-waydriving connection with, the movable switch member in the direction ofrotation of said switch member. This one-way drivi g connection isprovided in the present nstance-by interposing a switch lever 32 betweenthe throwing spring and the movable switch lever and providing thisswitch lever withpawls or teeth 33 engaging with shoulders provided bycorresponding ratchet teeth 34 on top of the movable switch member. Theswitch lever is pivotally engaged on the splndle,

being for that purpose usually provided with a central sleeve portionloosely fitting the spindle, and its ratchet teeth face forwardly so asto have driv ng engagement with the movable switch member in thedirection of its rotation. The throwing spring is shown connected withthis ratchet'lever by hooking its lower end asat .37 to engage a lug 38struck up from the lever. The

lever to rotate it and the movable switch member which it drives in theforward or circuit changing direction.

The ratchet teeth on the top of the movable switch member are usuallyprovided as shown, by setting a plate 39 carrying the ratchet teeth intothe top of the insulating carrier disk.

From the foregoing it will be evident that upon a retractive or backwardmovement of the switch lever theswitch-throwing spring will be tensionedbut no movement will be imparted to the. movable switch member. When inthis tensioning movement the switch lever moves back a distance equal toone ratchet tooth, the lever drops down into engagement with a freshratchet tooth on the switch member and the then-tensioned spring is thuscoupled in switch-throwing engagement with the movable switch member..Upon release of the switch lever the spring will then act to throw theswitch member with a quick snap action. The forward throw of the switchlever is limited by a stop {10, carried in the first form illustrated,by the upper block of the base. a

In the switch-throwing action just de scribed, the contact arms 23 ofthe switch member are snapped either from the insulating ratchet teeth.onto the stationary switch contacts or from the stationary con tactsonto the insulating ratchet teeth and the circuit is thus snapped closedor snapped open, depending upon the original condition of the switch.Since the stationary spring contacts normally project slightly above theplane of the arc-interrupting shoulders 18 at the ends thereof (Fig. 5),the switch arms23 in riding off the insulating ratchet teeth, will haveto engage said contacts before they can touch the arc-interruptingshoulders and it will be impossible moreover for such shoulders to holdthe switch arms away from the contacts. The formation of any imperfectcontacts is thus prevented at these points. This upstanding feature ofthe stationary spring contacts also causes them to brake or check theforward movement of the movable switch member and hence to preventover-throwing of the switch. The spring contacts yield somewhat underthe pressure of the movable switch member until they lie'substantiallyin the plane of the arc-interrupting insulating shoulders. When theswitch is thrown into the circuit off position the switch arms 23 aresnapped from engagement withthe spring contacts, up over the inclines ofthe arc-interrupting shoulders and drop from said shoulders down uponthe foot of the insulating ratchet teeth. These shoulders thus act asinsulating barriers interposed at the instant of breaking circuit topositively interrupt and cut ofi' any are that might other- 4 wise havea tendency to form. spring thus has a bearing against the switch Toprevent delaying or retarding of the action of the switch-throwingspring, I have provided means for automatically taking the control outof the hands of the operator once the throwing spring has been properlytensioned. Such means here takesthe form of a lever 43 pivoted on the"spindle above the switch lever and having a one-way connection with theswitch lever for imparting a spring-tensioning movement thereto. Thisconnection may be in the form of one or a number of downwardly struckpawls 44 on the tensioning lever facing in a direction opposite that ofthe switch movement and arranged to engage shoulders provided by acorresponding number of seats 45 in the switch lever. Disengagement ofthis pawl and ratchet connection between the springtensioning lever andswitch lever is automatically eifected when the spring-is tensioned bysupporting the tensioning lever so that LWWAW? it cannot follow theswitch lever when that lever drops down at the time of its engagementwith a fresh ratchet tooth on the switch member. The tensioning lever istherefore here provided with a supporting extension 46 adaptedto'ride-upon a trackway 47 on the switch base, substantially at theinstant of the engagement of the switch lever with the new ratchet toothon the movable switch member. This trackway may be inclined upwardlysomewhat, as indicated, to impart a slight lifting movement to thetensloning lever and to therefore insure a positive disengagement of theswitch lever from the tensioning lever. The trackway for supporting thetensioning lever may be integral with the base but- I prefer to employfor the purpose a spring metal strip indicated at 41 in Figs. 2 and 4which extends up at a slight incline and is secured in place by a screw42.

The spring-tensioning lever is preferably made with a hub portion48pivotally engaging over the switch-throwing spring and the central bodyportion of the lever is usually domed or bossed up, as indicated at 49to accommodate and cover the connection between the throwing spring andthe switch the tensioning lever on the spindle without removing theoutstanding anchorage lug, the lever is usually formed with a radialslot 50 large enough to pass over the lug. The tensioning lever isreturned back into driving engagement with the switch lever by a spring52 having its lower endhooked into the radial slot 50 in the tensioninglever and its upper end anchored to the spindle. This spring can berelatively light since its purpose is merely to swing the tensioninglever back into holding engagement with the switch lever and it isusually loosely coiled so as not to obstruct the lifting movement of thelever in riding up the incline of the trackway.

The anchorage for the returning spring 52 in the first form of theinvention is of novel construction "in that it comprises a flangedbushing 53 fitting within the upper end of the spring so as to form abearing therefor and slotted in one side at 54 so as to slip down overthe anchorage lug 29. This bushing is usually placed on the spindle,over the nut 30, which may be round to fit within the bushing and it maybe held in place by a nut 55 applied to the end of the spindle. Theflange 58. of the bushing is provided with a notch or notches 56 to takethe upper end of the returning spring. The anchorage lug 29 when engagedin the slot 54 will hold the bushing against turning when the spring isthus engaged therewith. In addition to the slot 54, the bushing ispreferably formed with one or more notches 57 in the inner periphery ofits flange 58 to form a seat or seats for the anchorage lug 29. Thispermits of the bushing being slipped onto the spindle down over theanchorage lug '29, then turned to give the re;'. turning spring 52 therequisite tension whereupon the bushing may be allowed to rise with oneof" the seats 57 therein engaging with the' lug 29 as indicated in Fig.6. The bushing is thus non-rotatably secured upon the spindle and thenut 55 is in this case unnecessary.

The socket. switch illustrated in the first five figures is shown ascontrolled by a pull chain 60, which, in these views is attached to thespring-tensioning lever. The method of attaching the chain to the leveris novel, the lever being provided with a dependent extension 61 at itsforward edge, in back of which the end ball of the chain is engaged andthe flat top portion of the lever having an opening 62 the size ofthe-end ball and a communicating slot 63 extending forward and downwardinto the extension 61. The chain is thus engaged with the lever bysimply inserting the end ball in the top opening 62 and allowing it todrop down in back of the downward extension. When the levers are intheir normal position of rest against the stop 40, the switch lever 32overlies the end ball and so prevents the chain becoming ing back idlyover the teeth on the switch member. At the end of a movement sufiicientto place the throwing spring under proper switch-throwing tension. theswitch lever has traveled far enough back for its teeth to drop downinto engagement with a new set of teeth on the switch member. At thetime the switch lever, and hence the tensioned spring, is thusautomatically coupled in fresh engagement with the switch member, thetensioning lever is supported by its trackway and so cannot follow theswitch lever as that lever drops to engage the new ratchet teeth. Theswitch lever in coupling itself to the movable switch member, thus ineffect drops from beneath the tensioning lever and this drop issufiicient to uncouple the connection between the tensioning lever andswitch lever. The switch lever being now freed from the tensioning leverand coupled to the movable switch member, is thrown suddenly by thethrowing spring, thereby making 1% or breaking the circuit as the casemay be,

' on the chain is released the returning spring -52 returns thetensioning lever back into holding engagement with the switch lever. Thestop 40 for the switch lever maybe utilized here also to limit thereturn movement of the spring-tensioning lever. The active movement ofthe tensioning lever is limited by a stop 65, which may like the stop 40also be carried by the upper-member of the switch base. When thetrackway is a metal strip, the automatic uncoupling of the switch leverand tensioning lever is assisted by the spring force of the strip. Thismetal strip may be adjusted by bending to properly cooperate with theother switch parts.

The circuit through the first form of switch disclosed may be traced asfollows: from circuit terminal 67 down through the screw 68,- whichassists in holding the two parts of thebase together, to the plate'69which overlies the stationary switch contact 14, across the movableswitch contact plate 22 to the other stationary contact 15 which isconnected by screw 70 with center lamp contact 71. The other side of theline is from circuit terminal 72 down through screw 73, which also helpshold the two parts of the base together, to the plate 74 beneath theflange 75 of the screw shell contact 76. It will be noted that thecontact 14 is held in place by a screw 77passed up through the base intoengagement with the plate 69 overlying said contact. The screw 70holding the other contact 15, engages in a nut 78 overlying the saidcontact.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7 is substantially likethat described, the only material distinction being that the switch base'80, is in this instance, made angular in shape to fit within the boX orcasing of a wall switch of the type shown in my Patent #1,097,207. Inthis form also the switch-throwing spring 27 and the returning spring52are bothengaged with a single anchorage lug 81 on the spindle. One ofthe relatively stationary switch contacts appears at 82 indirectengagement with an overlying circuit terminal 83 and the otherswitch contact is similarly engaged with the other circuit terminal 84.

In Fig. 8 the invention is shown applied to a lever type of switch of myown invention, .the control being had in this instance by means of alever instead of a pull chain. The spring-tensioning lever 90 isaccordingly provided with a handle extension 91 which projects outthrough the side of the casing (not shown) of the switch and by means.of which the said lever may be shifted tension the spring. The circuitterminals are designated 92 and 93 and these are directly connected withthe relatively stationary switch contacts, the same as in the form showninFig. 7 The switch-throwing and returning springs are in this instancealso both engaged with a single anchorage, a notched nut 94, on thespindle. In other respects this switch is similar to the one firstdescribed.

Fig. 9 illustrates a way, in which the switch may be controlled directlyby the switch lever and without using a springtensioning lever. In thiscase the pull chain 99 is attached directly to the switch lever 100.This switch lever is acted upon by the switch-throwing spring and hasthe oneway driving connection with the movable swltch member, aspreviously described. Consequently a pull on the chain tensions thespring and causes the spring, when tensioned, to be automaticallycoupled to the movable switch member and the release of the chainpermits the spring to snap the movable switch member into the nextposition for a quick make or break as the case may be.

, My invention provides a switch of but few and simple parts having aquick-make and quick-break action and therefore capable of carrying aconsiderable current load. The arc-interrupting construction at theswitch contacts in addition to preventing the formation' of arcs,prevents heating and burning of the contact parts. The control may behad by means of a' pull chain, a lever, or other form of handle as willbe apparent to those skilled in the art and it will be understood thatother modifications such as come within the scope of the invention maybe resorted to. It will be further understood that the terms employedherein are terms of description rather than of limitation, except so faras may be required by the prior art.

What I claim is 1. In an electric switch, the combination of a movableswitch member, a switchthrowing spring free of said switch member duringtensioning movement of the spring, means for tensioning saidswitchthrowing spring and means for automatically coupling said spring,when tensioned, in switch-throwing engagement with the movable switchmember.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a movable switch member, aswitch throwing spring free of said switch member during tensioningmovement of the spring, means for tensioning said switchthrowing spring,means for automatically coupling said spring, when tensioned, inswitch-throwing engagement with the movable switch member and means forauto- 'matically releasing the tensioned spring manta? 3. In an electricswitch, a movable switch member, a switch-throwing spring fast at oneend and having its opposite end free for a tensioning movement, meansfor imparting a tensioning movement to the free end of the spring andmeans for automatically coupling the spring at the end of its tensioningmovement in driving engagement with the switch member.

4. In an electric switch, a movable switch member, a switch-throwingspring fast at one end and having its opposite end free for a tensioningmovement, means for imparting a tensioning movement to the free end ofthe spring, means for automatically coupling the spring at the end ofits ten- I sioning movement in driving engagement with the switch memberandmeans for automatically releasing the spring when coupled with theswitch member from the tensioning means aforesaid.

5. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in one direction, aswitch-throwing spring capable of movement in the opposite direction fortensioning the same, means for imparting a tensioning movement to saidspring and means for automatically coupling the spring when in tensionedposition in switch-throwing engagement with the rotatable switch member.

6. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in one direction, aswitch-throwing spring capable of movement in the op: posite directionfor tensioning the same, means for imparting a tensioning movement tosaid spring, means for automatically coupling the spring when intensioned position in switch-throwing engagement with the rotatableswitch member and means for automatically disconnecting theswitchthrowing spring from the tensioning means at the end of thetensioning movement,

thereof.-

7. In an electric switch, a movable switch member, a switch-throwingspring, means for tensioning said spring, means for automaticallycoupling said spring, when tensioned, in switch-throwing engagement withthe movable switch member, means for automatically disconnecting. thetensioned spring from the tensioning means and means for automaticallyreengaging the tensioning means with the spring in readiness for thesucceeding switch operation.

8. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in one direction, aswitch-throwing spring exerting tension to propel the switch member inthe direction of its rotation and a switch lever interposed between itsrotation and the throwing spring engaging the said lever to propel it inthe direction of the switch movement.

9. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in one direction, anoscillating switch lever having a driving connection with the switchmember in the direction of its rotation and movable independently of theswitch member in the reverse direction, a switch-throwing spring bearingagainst the switch lever in the direction of rotation of the switchmember and a movable springtensioning member having a driving connectionwith the switch lever in the reverse direction aforesaid whereby theswitchthrowing spring will be tensioned by the movement of saidtensioning. member in a direction. reverse to the movement of the switchmember.

10. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in one direction,an oscillating switch lever having a driving connection with the switchmember in the direction of its rotation and movable independently of theswitch member in the reverse direction, a switch-throwing spring bearingagainst the switch lever in the direction of. rotation of the switchmember, a -movable springtensioning member having a driving connectionwith the switch lever in the reverse direction aforesaid whereby theswitchthrowing spring will be tensioned by the movement of saidtensioning member in a direction reverse to the movement of the switchmember and means for automatically disengaging the driving connectionbetween lever operative in the reverse direction from the movement ofthe switch member, and means for automatically uncoupling the pawl, andratchet connection between the tensioning member and switch lever whensaid switch lever is shifted by the tensioning member far enough in thereverse di rection to efi'ect a fresh engagement of the pawl and ratchetconnection between the switch lever and switch member.

12. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in a forwarddirection only, an oscillating switch lever having, a pawl and ratchetconnection with the switch member operative in' the movement of saidlever in the, forward direction, a switch-throwing spring bearingagainst the switch lever in the forward direction aforesaid, anoscillating spring-tensioning member having a pawl and ratchetconnection with the switchlever operative in a direction reverse to thatof the switch member, means for disengaging the pawl and ratchetconnection between the tensioning member and switch lever in suchreverse movement of the tensioning member, a .spring for returning saidtensioning member in the. forward direction and stops limiting theforward movement of the oscillating switch lever and springtensioningmember.

13. In an electric switch, a rotatable switch member having ratchetteeth on its 1 upper face, an oscillating switch lever rest-- ing on theswitch member and provided with ratchet teeth to engage those on the,switch member and operative for rotating 7 the switch member in aforward direction,

a switch-throwing spring bearing against said switch lever in thedirection of such forward rotation, an oscillating spring-tensioningmember resting upon the switch lever and having a pawl and ratchet.connection therewith operative in a direction re- I the switch member tocause disengagement verse to that of the switch member, a spring bearinon the tensioning member to nor mally hold the pawl and ratchetconnection between said tensioning member and switch lever engaged andmeans'for supporting the oscillating tensioning member at the end of thereverse movement thereof to thereby permit the switch lever whendropping to engage with a new set of ratchet teeth on of the pawl andratchet connectionbetween the tensioning member and said lever.

14. In an electric switch, a switch member rotatable in a forwarddirection only, an oscillating'switch lever having a drivin engagementwith the switch member 0 y in the direction of its rotation, aswitch-throwing spring bearing against the switch lever in the directionof the switch rotation, an oscillating spring-tensioning lever having adriving engagement with the switch lever only in the reverse directionfrom the switch movement for thereby tensioning the switch-throwingspring, means for disconnecting the switch lever and tensioning lever atthe end of the springtensioning movement of said tensioning lever tothere by permit the spring through the switch lever to throw the switchmember and means 'the lever and a pull chain havin right angle to saidtop portion, the said top dependent extension at the forward edge.thereof, the said top portion having an opening therein large enough toreceive the end ball of a pull chain and a narrow slot extendingforwardly therefrom and down into the dependent extension of the lever,a pull chain having the end ball thereof entered through said openingand droppeddown behind the extension aforesaid, a stop limiting themovement of the lever, a spring for returning the lever against saidstop and t a member disposed beneath the opening in the lever in itsposition of rest against the stop totherebyprevent withdrawal of the.

end ball of the chain through said opening. 17. In an electric switch,an insulating base, a relatively stationary switch contact mounted onsaid base and having an upwardly-inclined spring contact portion, anarc-interrupting insulating shoulder at the upper end of said inclinedcontact portion and forming substantially a continuation thereof, thesaid spring contact projecting when unrestrained above the plane of thesaid, shoulder and free to yield under pressure downwardly into theplane of said arcinterrupting shoulder and a relatively movablespring-pressed switch contact bearing onsaid relatively stationaryswitch contact.

18. In an electric switch, a switch base provided with oppositelydisposed upwardly inclined insulating ratchet teeth and with contactseats alternatin with said ratchet teeth, upwardly incline switchcontacts mounted in the said seats,- arc-interrupting insulatingshoulders at the upper ends of said inclined contacts substantially inthe plane of the upper ends of said contacts, projecting beyond thecontacts and forming substantially continuations of the said inclinedcontacts and a rotatable spring-pressed switch contact arranged to bearon the inclined contacts and insulating ratchet teeth and to traversethe insulating shoulders in passing from the contacts onto theinsulating ratchet teeth.

19. In an electric switch, a switch base, a spindle mounted thereon, aswitch member journaled on said spindle, a relatively strongclose-coiled switch-throwing spring i x pvt on said spindle, means forconnecting said switch-throwing spring with the switch member, 'a leverpivoted on the switch spindle having connection with the switchthrowingspring for tensioning the same journaled on said spindle, aswitch-throwing spring coiled about the spindle and anchored to thespindle at one end, means for connecting the opposite end of said springwith the switch member, a spring tensioning lever pivoted on thespindle, a bushing non-rotatably engaged on the spin dle and surroundingthe switch-throwing spring and a spring connected with said bushing atone end and with the tensioning lever at its opposite end.

21. lln an electric switch, a switch base, a spindle mounted thereon, aswitch member journaled on said spindle, an outstanding anchorage 111 onthe spindle, a switchthrowing spring coiled about the spindle andengaging said anchorage lug at one end, means for connecting theopposite end of said spring with the switch member, a lever pivoted onthe spindle and having connection with the switch-throwing spring fortensioning the same, a bushing engaged on the spindle and slotted toreceive the out standing anchorage lugand a spring connected with saidbushing at one end and with the tensioning lever at its opposite end.

22. ln'an electric switch, a switch -base, a spindle mounted thereon, aswitch member jo'urnaled on said spindle, an outstanding anchorage lugon the spindle, a switchthrowing spring coiled aboutthe spindle andengaging said anchorage lug at one end, means for connecting theopposite end of said spring withthe switch member, a lever pivoted onthespindle and having, connection with the switch-throwing spring fortensioning the same, said lever having a central sleeve portion fittingover the switch-throwing spring and slotted radially .to pass over theanchdrage lug on the spindle and a spring anchored to the spindle at oneend and engaging the tensioning lever at its opposite end.

23. lln an electric switch, a switch base, a spindle mounted thereon, aswitch member journaled on said spindle, a switch lever pivoted on thespindle and having a oneway driving connection with the switch member, aswitch-throwing spring surrounding the spindle, anchored at one end tothe spindle and connected with the switch lever at its opposite end, aspring-tensioning lever pivoted on the spindle with itscen tral portionresting on the switch lever and crowned up to accommodate the connectionbetween the switch-throwing spring and switch lever and a springanchored to the spindle at one end and connected with the tensioninglever at its opposite end.

24. lln an electric switch,a switch base, a spindle on the base, aswitch contact pivoted on the spindle, a switch lever pivoted on thespindle above said contact and having a one-way driving connectiontherewith, a switch-throwing spring encircling the spindle abovesaidlever, anchored to the spindle at its upper end and connected with thelever at its lower end, a spring-tensioning lever resting on the switchlever and covering the connection between the throwing spring and switchlever, said tensioning lever having a central upstanding cylindricalportion surrounding the throwing spring to thereby form a bearing forthe said lever and a. returning spring for said tensioning leversurrounding the .upstanding cylindrical portion. of said lever at itslower end and connected with the spindle at its upper end .25. lln anelectric switch, a switch base, a

spindle on the base, a switch contact pivoted ing the connection betweenthe throwing.

spring and switch level, said tensioning lever having a centralupstanding cylindrical portion surrounding the throwing spring.

to thereby form a bearing for the said lever, a returning spring forsaid tensioning lever surrounding the upstanding cylindrical portion ofsaid lever at its lower end and a 'end of said returning spring andsecured to the spindle over the throwing spring to thereby provide abearing for the upper end of the returning spring.

26. In an electric switch, a switch base, a spindle on the base,an-outstanding lug on said spindle, a lever pivoted on the spindle, aspring coiled about the spindle and having its lower end engaged withthe said lever and a flanged bushing connected with the upper end of thespring, slotted to pass down over the outstanding lug and provided witha seat in its inner periphery to receive the said lug. I

27. In an electric switch, a switch base, a spindle mounted thereon, arotatable switch contact .journalcd on said spindle, a switch leverpivoted on the spindle and having a one-way driving connection with themov-- rotation, a switch throwing spring engaging thereof to assist inuncoupling the one-way said switch lever, a spring tensioning leverconnection between the spring-tensioning having a one-way drivingconnection .with lever and the switch lever.

the switch lever in a direction opposite to FREDERIO BARR. that of theswitch movement and an in- Witnesses: clined spring strip engaged by thetension- Ron'r. S. ALLYN, ing lever in the spring-tensioning movement E.BRADFORD:

